I Believe in God: A Reflection on the Apostles' Creed

by Thomas P. Rausch

In the spirit of nineteenth-century philosopher John Stuart Mill's admonition to "fully, frequently, and fearlessly" discuss what we profess to be true in order that it remain a "living truth" rather than dead dogma, Thomas P. Rausch gives us I Believe in A Reflection on the Apostles' Creed. Rausch carefully explores the controversies that led to the development of the Creed and thereby brings the Creed to life for modern readers. More important, he maintains that the Creed is most fully alive when those who profess it do so as a personal response to their baptismal call. I Believe in God carefully unpacks the three articles of the Creed but does so always with an eye and heart toward communion with God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. As baptized Christians, to profess the Creed is to be committed to enter more deeply into this trinitarian relationship and thus more fully into communion with one another. Rausch clearly shows that the Apostles' Creed is grounded in Scripture, first came to expression in the church's baptismal liturgy, and can be better understood in light of contemporary theological reflection. Attentive to the ways in which the language of the Creed is relevant to the experience of twenty-first-century Christians, he leads us to understand what Pope Benedict meant when he said the Creed is "a tiny summa in which everything essential is expressed." With Rausch's guidance, readers will confess those essentials with greater conviction and appreciation.

Genres: School, Religion

184 pages, Paperback

First published February 15, 2008

About the author

Father Thomas P. Rausch, S.J., Ph.D. (Religion, Duke University, 1976; S.T.M., Jesuit School of Theology, Berkeley, 1972; M.A. Gonzaga University, 1967; B.A., Gonzaga, 1966), is the Emeritus T. Marie Chilton Professor of Catholic Theology at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, and an ordained Roman Catholic priest of the Society of Jesus (Jesuit) order. He was rector of the Jesuit community at Loyola Marymount 1988–1994, and chair of the department of Theological Studies 1994–2000.

Reviews

[Francine Apollo]

I very much like Thomas Rausch's books. I am reading this because it is assigned reading for the students I am mentoring in a ministry formation program.

This is clear, easy to read and comprehend; it is an explanation/reflection on the Apostles' Creed so it should become a staple on ministry bookshelves.

Highly Recommended.